Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Am currently looking to get into a Small 4WD for some weekend Fun and camping N Stuff, am trying to toss up between a few vehicles.

Have been looking at Feroza's but dont have much room in the back for luggage
Looked at shorty Jackaroos, but are scarce as rocking horse droppings

Has to be hard top, as I have a small child and need/want the protection, plus it will be parked un garraged and the extra security would be good.

Looking at a 85 Pagero SWB with 2.6 Pet and a 92 Vitara SWB 1.6

As the vehicle will be my daily driver to and from work need to be economical. Also, it may see trips upto 500Kays in length, so comfort and peerformace would be nice. Just trying to get some un biased oppinions, or, a selection of Biased oppinions :-D as to what to get. Both vehicles are around the same $$$ bout the 3k mark, looking to spend NO MORE than 5k

Thanks Guys

For on-road comfort & fuel economy I don't think you could go past the Vitara.

Off-road, in stock form, I don't think there would be much in it. I would guess better clearance in the Paj, but I think the Vit has better suspension travel.

Once you start modding for off-road, I think the Pajero would have better potential - 31" tyres stock, 33's without much trouble.

If you've got a young kid, then go a wagon. You'll VERY quickly realise the hassles of loading a tired and grumpy 3-5 yo into the back of a shorty. SO much easier in a wagon.

I have owned my Vit SWB hardtop 5 years.

Was good on fuel when first brought 8 litres per 100klms.

It is my daliy drive with all the mods it is now 10 litres per 100klms.

But is too small for me these days, I have to leave alot behind when camping.

I would buy a 4 door Vit.

I have a mate that has a pajero, it goes better in the bush than my vitara, but only cause it has lower gearing (both cars standard)

It goes a bit better on the beach as it has a bit more power up the hills. Then again, I had the Vitara full with 5 people + gear, when it's just me it goes fine.

More clearance on the Pajero.

Pajero's are known for terriable fuel consumption.